Why are so many fed hiring decisions made before posting?--VENT

[Anonymous]

DH is a contractor at a large agency. There are very few actual fed positions in his field posted at the agency (maybe 1 every 18-24 months) and of course there are lots f current contractors who would be interested in applying. The majority of times the fed position is only open to current federal employees and posted for less than 2 weeks, which makes it seem as if the decision has already been made. Often it ends up being someone who is obviously being dumped from another position or agency. I understand that sometimes you might know who you want to hire or promote or whatever, but it seems as if they are ruling out many qualified, eager candidates. We know of one situation where a very hard working and extremely competent contractor ended up getting a federal position which was great and well deserved, but that is the exception. I understand that it's probably cheaper to just keep using contractors but it's frustrating and demoralizing for him. I am in a management position in the private sector and while we often promote from within, I would never want to shut out a large group of potential applicants.

[Anonymous]

Getting on the gov side after a certain level is the luck of the draw. I gave up after applying for 25+ spots and not getting a single reply other than the automated stuff.

[Anonymous]

Because they are forced to post positions even when they just want to hire X person for the job. The real problem is that they have to post at all. Time suck for all involved.

[Anonymous]

Most of those jobs are preselected. Check the salary as for my husband, he'd love to go fed but contractor jobs pay much higher with better benefits.

[Anonymous]

Unless its a general call or grouping of entry level positions, it takes effort and money already set aside to list a position. Feds don't go to all that trouble unless they already know of someone they already like or need to get ride of someone they already hate.

[Anonymous]

I feel you. I have been a contractor for several years and have applied to 50+ fed positions over the last few. I've had a few interviews but no luck being hired. If you're not entry-level, a veteran, or in a special hiring authority, it's REALLY tough to even make it on the cert.

[Anonymous]

Often times, especially now, its because they aren't allowed to increase numbers, just shuffle within the agency. So hires must be internal because the budget just isn't there for an external hire.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Often times, especially now, its because they aren't allowed to increase numbers, just shuffle within the agency. So hires must be internal because the budget just isn't there for an external hire.

Yep.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most of those jobs are preselected. Check the salary as for my husband, he'd love to go fed but contractor jobs pay much higher with better benefits.

What company does your DH get his contract from? Some companies have very good track records for transferring in to fed positions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Often times, especially now, its because they aren't allowed to increase numbers, just shuffle within the agency. So hires must be internal because the budget just isn't there for an external hire.

Yep.

Same here. Complete external hiring freeze.

[Anonymous]

Thanks all. OP here. Don't want to name the company but fairly sure it's not one with a good track record for federal placements. The hiring freezes make sense.